Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-21
FLOODS AND ICE GORGEs
One Mile of Northern Pacific Trark
swept Away-No Means Of ofCommunica.
uon With Bismarck ck-Telesraph Wires
Down and the Poles Frustrated.
ST PAUL. March 10

ST. PAUL, March 10.
A Pioneer Press special from Bism.rck
gives the following particulars of the food !:
Inc most serious damage was that to The
Northern Pacific at the western end of The
Dridge. The ice knocked out several bunch.
es OF the underpining, and il will be several
Gays before II can be repaired, even if the
water should soon recede. 1t will be impos.
siole 70 resume traffic without tran fer, as at
ieast q mile OF track bttween the bridg. and
Mandan Is swept away. All the telegram
wires between the bridge and Mandan are
down, and the poles swept away. There are
no means OF communication between Bis.
marck and Mandan. The Pacific express
arriving here at noon returned 10 ST. Paul on
regular schedule time of the Atlantic expr.s.
from The West last night. An a,tempt h "a
oeen made all day to break the gorge al Sib.
ley Island by dynsmite, but thus far without
aVali, although over five hundred pounds
nave oeen used. Several houses on The low
iahus nave been swept away, and rescuing
party Is out with boat tor two men and Two
women who are known 10 be surrounded
"ora was broughs OF their perilous condition
ov The husband uf one OF the women, who
mad to swim "a long distance ana wade in
water up TO his breast for over Two miles.
The weather is cold, aid it is FIRE. zing a lit
tie. The water is at a standstill, and no ice
Is running. Word comes from Paint d
Woods that the river has fallen eight feet
there, which indicates that there is a gorge
above that place which the 30 foot rise from
buturd will probably start tonight, and it is
not unlikely that Sunday morning will see
the river several feet higher at that point
than now. With glass it is observed that
that the streets in Mandan, and the irst story
ol many buildings are Completely submerged
later dispatch from Bismarck says: The
gorge at Slby Island is still intact. The
scene here today is a dreary one. The river
Is still over six miles wide. Two reculng
parties were sent out this morning, and have
found several families on the roofs OF their
houses. Field glasses are being used with
good results, as numerous settlers have been
discovered, some of them perched on the
tree, and Others Oh fl pating timbers. Tudt tv
snow storm prevans. The city OF Mandan
Is completely inundated. The worst is com
ing. The great rise at Fort Buford is now
over halfway here, and will reach this point
some time tonight. This will make The
hlg nest water ever known in thes. parts, and
unless the gorge breaks at Siblt y Island, the
city of Mandan will be in danger of annihila
tlon. The high lrestle of the Northern Pa
clhc railroad Is wrecked. Yesterdays pas
senger train, with its load of people bound
for the Pacific coast. lay on the side track
here all night, and will not be able to leave
tor several days. Apple creek which is US.
ually about 10 feet wide, is now over a mile
and half wide. The snow storm has been
transformed into.a binding blizzard, and it is
feared rescuing parties will be lost. They
are out in small yawls.
BISMARCK. Oak March 90.
The Missouri river i. still on the rampage,
the Buford rise reaching this point today,
and the water is fl wing over the prairie at a
greater depth and more terrific speed than
ever. The stream has risen a foot todly
which is equal to rise of over 20 frst in the
upper river, as the water IS spread out over
Il stretch OF country six miles wide. The
fearful blizzard OF Yesterday abated last
evening and left over six inches of snow
throughout the northwest. This will add to
the hpnd as the sun has come out warm to-
day. The tributaries OF the Missouri are al
Ready growing from the melting snow.
Reports come from the north 10 the effect
that at Painted Woods the settlers have been
in trees ami on hay stacks for two days and
relief parties have been sent out to that
point. the report that Sapt Graham Of the
Northern Pacific road has been drowned has
been denied. The gprge at Slbleys Island
remains firm. Ii the present state of affairs
should remain week the Missouri will have
a permanent channel cut across the country
at least two miles east of its present course.
Ice is fpwing freely today and is being
lodged in blocks of from rod TO n quarter OF
mile in length on farms and meadow lands
of the settlers.
Another train load of passengers arrived
from the east t, day and they will be com
pelled 10 remain here until 1t is possible 10
cross the Missouri as the ice is II Iwing treely
1t i, believed the river will he free Of ice to-
morrow and the Northern Pacific will es-
tablsh a transfer line of boats.